Lump in Breast and Cannot Get an Appointment!

[TrippingTheLifeFantastic]

I found a lump in my breast a few months ago and cannot get an appointment to see my doctor until just before Christmas. I am in Canada so the NHS isn't any use to me.

The lump is on the left side of my breast and although I have no pain, I have a constant ache that radiates to the top of my breast and down into my armpit. It doesn't change with my cycle.

I have begged and pleaded for an appointment and they say they have nothing until December 20th! What can I do? Should I be worried? I am 34 years old. There is a history of cancer in my family although no breast cancer as far as I am aware.

Any suggestions or advice?

[Viewofthehills]

That just sounds ridiculous. Is there no -where else you could first present, even A+E?
Can you stage a sit-in at the doctors?
This needs checking out and for them not to allow you an appointment for them to do so is negligent in my opinion.

[TrippingTheLifeFantastic]

I could go to the emergency room but the wait for non-emergencies is 8-12 hours. I have two children (4 an 8 months) and work full time. I cannot sit in the emergency room for up to 12 hours.

Children tend to get appointments sooner at the doctor. I am tempted to book one for my son and then show up alone. I don't know what they'd do though.

Does anyone think I have a genuine reason to be concerned?

[BackforGood]

Absolutely you should be concerned, and, tbh, a 12 hour wait is worth it if that means you see a Dr this wekk. You have to do it.
If, and I say if it is cancer, then the earlier it is caught the more treatable it tends to be. You have to see someone, by whatever means that is.

[TrippingTheLifeFantastic]

I'll call again tomorrow and try to get an appointment for me or my son. If I can't get one, I'll head to emergency once the kids are in bed. It's times like this that I regret coming back to Canada. I would have been seen weeks ago if I were still in the UK.

[thegreylady]

You rally need to be seen at a breast clinic asap-this wait is outrageous.

[TrippingTheLifeFantastic]

I don't think we have such a thing as a breast clinic around here.

[TrippingTheLifeFantastic]

Ok I stupidly did some googling and have scared myself silly. I really, truly think it is nothing, but what if it's not? What if there is something nasty growing inside me? I'm freaked out now. Damn doctors better see me this week!

[TrippingTheLifeFantastic]

No one around? Sorry to be needy, just feeling very scared.

[TitWillow]

Try not to panic. You have a plan to get yourself seen, even if it does mean a trip to emergency. Do not google!

[Jakadaal]

Hi Tripping couldn't read and run. Please don't google any more - as you say it will only freak you out even more. It could be just a benign cyst but the only person who can tell you for certain is a doctor. I think its ridiculous that you cannot get an appointment til December (I work in the NHS here in the UK and it would be all over the news if that happened here). I sympathise with having the little ones but for their sake and for your peace of mind a long tedious wait would be worth it. Load up with books, magazines, drinks and snacks and get in that A&E queue Looking forward to hearing good news but in the meantime have some

[Beamur]

Can you see a different doctor? Would you have to pay? I had a lump checked earlier this year and waiting that long would have been agonizing.

[zonedout]

Hi Tripping. No real advice other than to say yes, absolutely you must push to get seen. Just wondered also if you fancy a bit of mutual handholding? I have had a lump in my right breast for a few months which, over the last few days has become excruciatingly painful. Googling has completely freaked me out and I am now kicking myself that I haven't had it checked sooner. I am a lone parent to two young boys (one of whom is just getting over a high fever virus and the other is struggling with his asthma) so I totally understand how hard it is to get to the doctors. Although I know I will get seen much more easily than you my surgery don't make it easy (queue at 8am for emergency appts or wait a least two weeks... I have to do the school run at that time!)

So, a worried mutual handhold?

[TrippingTheLifeFantastic]

Thank you for your posts. I'm trying not to think about it, but I can't help it. I am calling the doctor tomorrow to beg for an appointment again. If they can't see me by the end of the week, then I will go to emergency and wait.

I have tried finding another doctor, but there are no other offices taking new patients. So it's my doctor or emergency. God I miss the NHS.

[Beamur]

Hope you manage to get something sooner.
The vast majority of lumps are harmless - fingers crossed for you.

[wentshopping]

HI Tripping, I am in the US, so a different system from you - can't you skip the general doctor and just go to a screening clinic for a mammogram? I get one per year paid on my insurance and you just turn up. Alternatively, can you go to your ob-gyn? Here in the US you go to a different specialist for each type of thing, so I am on the books of quite a few doctors offices. Of course, this won't help you if you live in a tiny place with very few doctors. Good luck tomorrow.

[TheFarSide]

Good luck from me for tomorrow too. I have had breast lumps that ache in a similar way to yours and in my case they have all turned out to be cysts. Obviously you should still get it checked, but try not to think the worst.

[wentshopping]

I meant to say that the screening clinic where I live now has a fancy name, but used to just be in the xray department of the nearest hospital.

[ggirl]

have you told them the reason you want an appt?

My parents and brothers live in canada and the shortage of GPs is a real problem. Going private just isn't an option over there..well according to what my mum says.

[TrippingTheLifeFantastic]

I told two of the receptionists why I wanted the appointment. One apologized and said she still didn't have anything until December. The second told me that December wasn't that far off and I "would probably be fine".

I don't have an ob-gyn (everything is done under your family practice). I'll call the health unit tomorrow and see if there is a screening clinic though. I never thought of that. Thank you.

[TrippingTheLifeFantastic]

Well I tried again today and still no appointment. I told them repeatedly it was urgent and they told me I could call tomorrow morning at 8am to get an appointment for Wednesday. So the wait continues.

[Viewofthehills]

That sounds a bit more hopeful Tripping. Hope you can get something.